In 2012, there were an estimated 400,000 rape kits unprocessed in the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; thousands of kits in the state of Ohio. One major reason for the backlog of rape kits is a lack of funding.

In December of 2011, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine called for a new policy to eliminate the backlog and offer victims justice. During the announcement he said, "If a crime was committed, the kit should be submitted."

Nearly three years later, has the Attorney General's office made good on its promise? Jenna Lee's follow up investigation provides the status of 15 - 20 year old rape kits:

Altogether, 2,430 kits from across the state of Ohio have been sent for testing to the state crime lab, the bulk being from the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Three years ago, it took the state crime lab an average of 125 days to report DNA results to law enforcement agencies. It now takes the team roughly 20 days; an 84% reduction thanks to additional scientists being hired on.

Count of Case Type for Lucas County

Agency from Lucas County

Lucas County Sheriff's Office

9

Sylvania Township Police Department

2

Toledo Police Department

226

University of Toledo Police Department

1

Grand Total

238

As of right now, 57 of the abovementioned kits have been screened for possible DNA. Of the 57 screened kits, 24 kits were found to have no bodily fluids. Fluids were identified in the other 33 kits, and those kits are currently in the DNA extraction phase. Once the DNA is extracted, if a sufficient profile is found, that profile will be submitted to CODIS for a possible DNA hit, furthering police investigation.

The chart below outlines the number of kits submitted statewide.

Count of Case Type in Ohio

Submitting Agency

Total

Akron Police Department

339

Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office

1

Austintown Police Department

1

Barberton Police Department

2

Blendon Township Police Department

1

Bowling Green Police Department

3

Brook Park Police Department

14

Brooklyn Police Department

1

Cambridge Police Department

1

Cincinnati P. D./Criminal Investigations

338

Cleveland Heights P.D.

28

Cleveland Metro Parks

3

Cleveland Police Department

1116

Defiance Police Department

7

Delaware Police Department

12

Dublin Police Department

4

East Cleveland Police Dept.

1

Euclid Police Department

1

Fairview Park Police Department

3

Findlay P.D.

2

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

2

Fremont Police Department

14

Garfield Heights Police Dept.

1

Howland Twp Police Department

1

Ironton Police Department

19

Lakewood Police Department

48

Lima Police Department

33

Lorain Police Department

58

Lucas County Sheriff's Office

9

Lyndhurst Police Department

1

Marion Police Department

1

Mason Police Department

6

Miami University Police Department

18

Monroe Police Department

1

New Lexington Police Department

1

New Vienna Police Department

1

Norwalk Police Department

1

Oberlin Police Department

2

Ohio University Police Department

26

Parma Police Department

30

Pioneer Police Department

1

Sandusky Police Department

1

Shaker Heights Police Department

8

South Euclid Police Department

1

Sylvania Township Police Department

2

Toledo Police Department

226

Twinsburg Police Department

1

University of Toledo Police Department

1

Warren County Sheriff's Office

9

Warrensville Hts Police Dept.

1

Whitehall Police Department

17

Wilberforce University Police Department

1

Wooster Police Department

10

Grand Total

2430

Support for survivors of sexual assault and their families can be found at the YWCA H.O.P.E Center in Toledo.

Confidential help is available by calling the YWCA H.O.P.E. Center 24 hours, 7 days a week at 419-241-7273 or toll free at 866-557-7273.